[avsfan]

Hi there! I don't know what forum to put this into, so I'll just choose one.

My baby is 14 (and a half!) months old. She has been my best nurser. She loved it, I loved it, but now my milk is gone. I'm okay with that. She didn't start solid food till after 9 months old, she just loved to nurse!

So I have several questions--what are the recommendations for babies drinking milk? How long, how much, etc?

My baby has finished 2 small canisters of Similac formula the past month, but the last canister I opened up smelled funny so I don't want to feed it to her. Dh has tried giving her regular milk, but she doesn't like it. ( I don't know if she won't drink it because it's cold, or the taste. I haven't tried warming it up to feed her).

My neighbor gave me 8-12 bottles (new) of various PediaSure that her son didn't like. So I'm wondering if that is okay for my baby? Maybe 4 oz here and there? I know they have a lot of calories, but I haven't compared them to formula calories either (or breastmilk, for that matter!)

Third question is, what about Soymilk? I bought some Silk soymilk last night at the store, thinking if she had an aversion to regular milk taste, maybe she'd like the taste of soymilk. Is soymilk too strong, does it have too much of something...?? I'm totally clueless about soy-anything.

I have a person that I can buy raw cow's milk from, but haven't been able to reach her lately. But when I do, I'll try giving that to my baby.

So my question are basically:
1. what are the recommendations for how much milk babies drink (after 1 year old) and for how long?
2. Does anyone know if PediaSure is safe or good, or not?
3. What about soymilk?

Thank you so much!

[twinzplus3]

I would do soymilk without speaking with your pediatrician first. It has phytoestrogen and some pediatricians feel strongly that it should be a last alternative.

There is no reason (unless your pedi said so) to give formula to a 14 month old baby. I would never give a baby raw cow's milk that has not been homogenized although I do look for cow's milk that is from a hormone free cow. Baby's are not the same as adults and what would make an adult sick could kill a baby. I would also not do pediasure unless your pedi says to. It has a lot of sugar and really, is for babies who don't gain weight well or have other serious eating issues.

We added Ovaltine to our milk to get my dd to drink it. But before I would do that, I would try warming the milk a bit to give it to your daughter. I would also give her whole milk if you haven't to see if she likes it.

At 14 mos. she should have a good and varied diet

[avsfan]

Thanks for your response. Yes, she does have a good diet. I had the same thoughts about the pediasure. Didn't know about phytoestrogens...I still have a lot to learn about soy-stuff.

and there is so much debate out there about processed milk and the dangers there-in, I'd almost rather give her raw milk.

Thanks for your ideas!

[twinzplus3]

that last comment was the start of one thought and then I erased it--but apparently not well enough. Sorry about that! It makes it sound like I think you don't feed her well. . .but on the contrary I was just not quite paying attention well enough to what I was writing.

Raw milk that hasn't been homogenized can contain harmful bacteria. But you can buy homogenized milk that comes from hormone free and antibiotic free cows. That is what we do. I've never heard anyone recommend giving milk that hasn't been homogenized. I'd be interested in reading more if you have links. (But if not don't feel like you have to hunt them down. At this points my kids would rebel and my germaphobe mil would freak if we stopped serving homogenized so milk so even if I found it to contain small green aliens--I'd likely still serve it. )

[avsfan]

This isn't a raw milk link, but it gives a little insight into milk. I know you can't believe everything you read, but you've got to believe something, somewhere along the lines!

http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/mmilk.htm

Homogenization is what breaks the milk fat globules down, pasteurization is what kills the bacteria. So I think you're thinking of pasteurized milk...

I grew up on raw milk, as did my mom. I find it very safe, as long as the milking conditions are clean and everything is kept orderly and properly, and the milk is stored properly.

Anyway, thanks for your advice. I tried warming up the stores milk, and she wouldn't drink it. I tried Silk soymilk cold, no. (all of these at different times, of course!) Soymilk, warm. No. Raw milk, warm. She gobbled it. =) I guess she's got a taste issue.

[twinzplus3]

Yes I am thinking of pasteurized milk. And we just studied that too--I should know better.

Out of sheer curiosity did you drink raw milk while you were pg with her? There have been a few studies. . .and a big one just came out about how babe develops lots of tastes while in utero.

Very interesting btw, thanks for sharing!

[MiracleBaby06]

i gave aiyana powdered milk at first since she didnt like the taste of milk then i would put a lil nesquik in the milk and she sucked it down. now she drinks whole milk and 2%. i only give 4oz at a time during the day and 8oz for bed time